Gutang cops NCAA Slam Dunk crown
They played the Koreans later on
College of Saint Benilde’s Justin Gutang goes for a left-handed jam during the NCAA All-Star Slam Dunk Competition at The Arena in San Juan City.
PBA GOVERNORS’ CUP PHOENIX – 112 TNT – 82
Best Player: Jason Perkins (22 points) COLLEGE of St. Benilde’s Justin Gutang redeemed himself and emerged as the new slam dunk king in Season 94 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) All-Star festivities on Friday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City. Gutang, who finished runner-up last season, came up with two dunks when he only needed to complete an attempt in the finals as Lyceum of the Philippines University’s Enoch Valdez and Arellano University’s William De Leon failed to convert.
The prized Blazers recruit from California first went for a 360 two- hand throwdown before settling for an emphatic left- hand jam that garnered 41 points from the fivemember judging panel led by Philippine basketball legend Jimmy Alapag.
“In the end, I was not really satisfied because I was not able to put on a show. I just got no legs right now. We’ve been having a lot of practice in the past few days. We’ve just been running a lot. I was only able to practice a little bit,” said Gutang.
“But a win is a win. I’m proud I was able to win it for Benilde,” he added.
Gutang made it to the final round as he racked up 46 points after slamming the ball from a slick assist off the side of the board courtesy of teammate Jimboy Pasturan.
Third time’s the charm for the rookie forward of TY Tang after joining last year and once in a basketball league in the United States.
Gutang tallied 45 points with a 360 dunk but it was not enough to overshadow former Arellano University center Lervin Flores’ jump over three people en route to a perfect-scoring slam last season.
The 21-year old Gutang was the second Blazer to capture the Slam Dunk championship as he followed in the footsteps of teammate Yankie Haruna, who won the side event in Season 92.
Gutang also bested Kenneth Villapando of San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Toba Eugene of San Beda University, Juju Bautista of Emilio Aguinaldo College, Jesper Bautista of Mapua University, Jeric Villanueva of Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Leam Martel of University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
Earlier, San Beda’s AC Soberano knocked down 16 points to beat Mapua’s Exie Biteng (14 points) and snag his second Three-point Shootout crown in three years.
Last-minute addition Magnolia Hotshots forward Rome Dela Rosa outplayed his teammate Jio Jalalon and Rain or Shine guard Rey Nambatac as San Beda prevailed over Arellano, Letran and the other teams in the Shooting Stars.
Rookie guard Mark Mallari of Jose Rizal U ruled the Skills Challenge.